Downfall of Ludlow, Dayton, Bellevue, etc.

[4chs]

Why did the level of football fall so drastically at some of these Northern Ky. schools? I know that some of these schools use to be considered football powers, but are not very competitive these days.

[kypride]

Bad time to put Bellevue on that list they are rolling on offense.

[BlueChip]

IMO, those small river towns just do not have the kids anymore. If I look on the KHSAA website, Bellevue has 27 kids on the roster; Dayton has 27; Ludlow reads as having 28. Their A counterpart Beechwood has 54. Also, I wonder about the community involvement in those communities.

[XtraIce]

The NKY smaller river towns close to the large Cincinnati downtown do seem to have there fair share of low income challenges.

 

Also class size has lowered over time for some.

 

Bellevue is the 10th smallest 1A school in the state according to the KHSAA at 122 Avg Boys (2yrs)

Ludlow has 148 Avg Boys

Dayton has 152 Avg Boys

Beechwood is the 3rd largest 1A school has 196.5 Avg Boys

 

Also coaching changes in the smaller schools are a factor that play a part in performance. Sometimes it helps and sometimes not so much.

 

I remember when Bill Baldridge and Charlie Coleman had big positive impacts on the Bellevue program.

 

I am sure the Avg Boys numbers have changed since they were listed on KHSAA web site since another factor the schools deal with is turnover.

[Qryche11]

It is cyclical at these schools and even when there is a good class that comes around, it is normally still not enough to compete with Beechwood.

 

The numbers are down at Bellevue more than likely due to all of the coaching changes as well as lack of bodies. Heroin is in every community whether we want to believe it or not so I am not buying that one, atleast not at the HS level. The people suffering the most in that category are young adults between the ages of 18-30, all you gotta do is open up the obituary daily to see that.

 

Bellevue is having a nice season so I wouldnt consider them doormats of the Class A like I would Dayton/Ludlow....this season.

[75center]

Boy, growing up I sure remember how tough those schools were. At the time Ludlow was Beechwoods biggest rival.

[Ram]

Boy, growing up I sure remember how tough those schools were. At the time Ludlow was Beechwoods biggest rival.

I too remember those days. I will state what one of the Head Coaches from one of these programs told me face-to-face after I asked him, "what happened to your numbers, you used to dress over 50 players?". He responded with "Soccer. We started a soccer team and my numbers were cut in half".

 

Small schools think catering to everyone will increase their enrollment numbers, but in reality, it hurts their existing programs. Most programs from 3A down can not support both Football and Soccer and be a power in both (or one).

[frankdracman23]

I too remember those days. I will state what one of the Head Coaches from one of these programs told me face-to-face after I asked him, "what happened to your numbers, you used to dress over 50 players?". He responded with "Soccer. We started a soccer team and my numbers were cut in half".

 

Small schools think catering to everyone will increase their enrollment numbers, but in reality, it hurts their existing programs. Most programs from 3A down can not support both Football and Soccer and be a power in both (or one).

 

None of those schools (Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow, Beechwood) have a Boys soccer team.

[frankdracman23]

To be realistic Dayton had a great run in the mid to late 60s including a state title, Bellevue had a great run in the late 70s early 80s including state titles, and Ludlow had their state title in the mid 70s. Other than that it has gone in extreme cycles. Dayton had a nice run in the late 90s, Bellevue around 2000 and again in 2005 or 2006. Lots of down years in between for all.

[Ram]

None of those schools (Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow, Beechwood) have a Boys soccer team.

Well, I guess I was lied to. Since that is the case, I will tell the school that lied to me, it was Ludlow's coach that told me that.

[Lawnboy13]

Downfall of Ludlow, Dayton, Bellevue..........Many have moved their families to "greener pastures".

[colonel_red]

Well, I guess I was lied to. Since that is the case, I will tell the school that lied to me, it was Ludlow's coach that told me that.

 

Ram, That source was correct. I played varsity for Ludlow the year the school started Soccer. Kids ran to it. Was kinda strange, but yes Ludlow had a boys Varsity and JV soccer program.

[MentschTrachtGottLacht]

None of those schools (Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow, Beechwood) have a Boys soccer team.

 

I would have lost big money if I was betting on whether or not Beechwood had a soccer team. Now that you say that, it registers I've never heard of them having one, but I would have lost that bet.

[MentschTrachtGottLacht]

Downfall of Ludlow, Dayton, Bellevue..........Many have moved their families to "greener pastures".

I'm surprised Ludlow hasn't seen a little bump with all of the new condos / brownstones down there. Although I assume CovCath catches a lot more of those kids.

[Ram]

Ram, That source was correct. I played varsity for Ludlow the year the school started Soccer. Kids ran to it. Was kinda strange, but yes Ludlow had a boys Varsity and JV soccer program.

Thank you, I was quite surprised that the coach told me that and it was not true. He and I actually spoke for several minutes about it. Thanks for clearing that up.